142 Benjamin Franklin [1/50 
&ec., which are therefore only subsistence metamor- 
phosed. 
6. Manufactures are only another shape into which 
so much provisions and subsistence are turned, as 
were equal in value to the manufactures produced. 
This appears from hence, that the manufacturer does 
not, in fact, obtain from the employer, for his labor, 
more than a mere subsistence, including raiment, 
fuel, and shelter; all which derive their value from 
the provisions consumed in procuring them. 
7. The produce of the earth, thus converted into 
manufactures, may be more easily carried to distant 
markets than before such conversion. 
8. Fair commerce is, where equal values are ex- 
changed for equal, the expense of transport included. 
Thus, if it costs A in England as much labor and 
charge to raise a bushel of wheat, as it costs B in 
France to produce four gallons of wine, then are four 
gallons of wine the fair exchange for a bushel of 
wheat, A and B meeting at half distance with their 
commodities to make the exchange. The advantage 
of this fair commerce is, that each party increases the 
number of his enjoyments, having, instead of wheat 
alone, or wine alone, the use of both wheat and 
wine. 
9. Where the labor and expense of producing both 
commodities are known to both parties, bargains will 
generally be fair and equal. Where they are known 
to one party only, bargains will often be unequal, 
knowledge taking its advantage of ignorance. 
10. Thus, he that carries one thousand bushels of 
wheat abroad to sell, may not probably obtain so 
ry,